ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships

Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives

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ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships are need-based awards funded by the Academy of Country Music's philanthropic arm, covering partial to full tuition ($1,600) for musically talented individuals with developmental disabilities attending a week-long residential music camp in Nashville.

Award Amount

$1,600 USD

Scholarship Type

need-based

Eligibility Criteria

individuals-with-developmental-disabilities
music-camp-participants

Instruments

multiple

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Scholarships are need-based awards funded by the Academy of Country Music's philanthropic arm. They cover partial to full tuition for musically talented individuals with developmental disabilities attending a week-long residential camp in Nashville, Tennessee.

How ACM Lifting Lives Works

The ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp is a residential program at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. It serves musically talented individuals with Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The camp runs for one week and costs $1,600 per camper. That covers room, meals, and all field trips.

ACM Lifting Lives funds the camp and provides need-based scholarships. Families qualify based on annual household income:

Income at or below $25,000 per year: full tuition scholarship ($0 owed)
Income between $25,001 and $50,000: 75% scholarship ($400 owed)
Income between $50,001 and $75,000: 50% scholarship ($800 owed)
Income between $75,001 and $100,000: 25% scholarship ($1,200 owed)

Families must submit the previous year's tax return as supporting documentation. Scholarships cover tuition only. Families are responsible for transportation to and from Nashville and Grand Ole Opry performance tickets (approximately $60 to $85 per person).

The camp has a dual purpose. It provides music enrichment through performance and education. It also supports Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research on Williams syndrome and developmental disabilities. Approximately 150 participants have taken part over the past five years.

ACM Lifting Lives has also funded other music education initiatives. In 2015, the foundation gave a $10,000 grant to Middle Tennessee State University's Commercial Songwriting Program to bring visiting professionals into classrooms.

Real-World Example

A family earning $30,000 per year would qualify for a 75% scholarship. Their out-of-pocket cost for the camp would be $400 instead of $1,600. They would still need to cover airfare to Nashville and Opry tickets for attending family members. A family earning $20,000 per year would pay nothing for tuition, saving the full $1,600.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you have a family member with developmental disabilities who loves music, this camp offers a structured residential program at little or no cost depending on income. The camp provides performance opportunities including an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. Participants work with music professionals and engage in ground-breaking research.

Contact the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center directly to begin the application process. Prepare your tax documentation early. Spaces are limited and the camp serves a specific population.

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

The camp is specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly Williams syndrome. It is not a general music scholarship for typical students. Families must cover transportation costs to Nashville. Opry performance tickets are not included in tuition. The camp is only one week long. It is not a degree program or a long-term educational grant.

Eligibility Criteria

Musically talented individuals with Williams syndrome or other developmental disabilities
Ages 18 and older
Open to participants from across the United States and Canada
No membership requirements
No specific education level required
Must demonstrate musical interest and ability to participate in a residential camp setting
Need-based scholarships require submission of the previous year's tax return as supporting documentation
If a parent or caregiver claims the camper as a dependent, the parent's tax return is required
If the camper is not claimed as a dependent, documentation of the camper's annual income is required

Deadlines and Application Timeline

Application opens: Typically opens in January each year
Deadline: Applications are accepted in January, with no posted closing date (limited slots filled on a rolling basis)
Notification: Acceptance notifications are sent in February
Camp dates: Typically held in June each year (the 16th annual camp was held in June 2025)

Past Recipients

The ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp does not publish individual scholarship recipient names. The camp serves approximately 30 campers per year. The 16th annual camp in June 2025 hosted 27 campers with Williams syndrome from across the U.S. and Canada. Approximately 150 participants have taken part over the past five years. Individual scholarship awards are determined by household income and are not publicly listed.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Sign up for the notification list: Register on the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center website to receive the online application when it becomes available
Receive the application: The online application is sent to those on the notification list, typically in January
Complete the application: Fill out the online application form with camper information and musical background
Submit scholarship documentation: If applying for a need-based scholarship, submit the previous year's tax return or income documentation
Wait for notification: Acceptance notifications are sent in February. Applying does not guarantee a slot due to limited capacity
Confirm participation: If accepted, confirm attendance and arrange transportation to Nashville. Families are responsible for airfare and Grand Ole Opry performance tickets